Austrian Economics of Von Mises now in the New England State's GOP platform

From Eric Dondero:

The Republican Party of Maine held its convention over the weekend. Delegates adopted a hardline platform that adopted many tenents of libertarian beliefs.

From the liberal-leaning blog Maine Politics "Maine Republicans adopt Tea Party platform":

The document calls for the elimination of the Department of Education and the Federal Reserve, demands an investigation of "collusion between government and industry in the global warming myth," suggests the adoption of "Austrian Economics," declares that "'Freedom of Religion' does not mean 'freedom from religion'" (which I guess makes atheism illegal), insists that "healthcare is not a right," calls for the abrogation of the "UN Treaty on Rights of the Child" and the "Law Of The Sea Treaty" and declares that we must resist "efforts to create a one world government."

Mike Tipping of Maine Politics describes it as "a mix of right-wing fringe policies, libertarian buzzwords and outright conspiracy theories."

Here's a breakdown of some of the more libertarian points:

?A declaration of state sovereignty – essentially a complaint that Federalism is dead and state’s rights and responsibilities are being squashed
?A call for the passage of “read the bill” legislation
?Opposition to the fairness doctrine
?Opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act
?Investigation of global warming shenanigans
?Eliminate the Department of Education
?Support for the prohibition of funding for ACORN or organizations like it
?Elimination of motor voter
?Opposition to any and all treaties with the United Nations
?Return to the principles of Austrian economics
?Balance the federal budget and pay off debt
?Audit the Federal Reserve

Republican Liberty Caucus Chairman for Maine and former legislator Ken Lindell commented (via Liberty Republican forum):

"There is a whole lot of stuff in the new platform that I really like... I think that it is a very positive development that activists who are new to the party have been able to succeed..."

Though, he did express concerns about the appeal of the new platform to mainstream Maine voters.

The platform was endorsed by the RLC in caucus at the convention.

Another RLCer Matthew Gagnon (Pine Tree Politics) had this to say:

I have more than a few problems with this platform, but I completely disagree with Mike Tipping’s assertion that the “extremism this document represents is unique and unsettling.” It is hardly anything all that extreme.

It is certainly different, that’s for sure, but as somebody who is deeply entrenched in the libertarian community (full disclosure: I just finished a year long tenure as Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Virginia, though I did not vote for Ron Paul in 2008 for those of you wondering), I can say without doubt that this is nowhere near the extreme edge of what many in that community would like to see.

Reached for a comment by Libertarian Republican, Stravos Mendros,(photo), former Lewiston City Councilman, longtime RLC member and 2008 Ron Paul State Coordinator said:

"This party is about the grassroots. People need to understand that this was voted on overwhelmingly by the people. We are not democrats and we don't like being dictated too by the elites."

Editor's Note - Photo of my friend Stravos is a bit dated, from approx. 10 years ago.